TREATMENT OF SUBACUTE BACTERIAL ENDOCARDITIS

Abstract

Thirty-three of 48 cases of subacute bacterial endocarditis were treated successfully with penicillin; 15 died during treatment. Causes of death were, in 8 cases, unremitting heart or kidney failure, inadequate amts. of drug, and rupture of a major blood vessel. In 6 cases there was rupture of an aortic valve cusp. Totally resistant organisms were found in only 1 case. Age of patient, type or degree of heart disease and sex had no influence on the results. Thirty-three % of cases had organisms partially resistant to penicillin, but with proper prescription of large doses of penicillin and streptomycin, with or without benemid, the outcome in the group was not significantly different than that in cases with penicillin sensitive organisms.